Lane marker masking system

ABSTRACT

A lane marker mask includes a visible surface configured to match the road surface where the mask will be used. The visible surface may be created by photographing the road surface immediately adjacent the eventual location of the mask and printing the photograph onto the visible surface of the masking material. An adhesive is disposed on the bottom of the masking material and a protective top coating is disposed over the printed image to protect the image during use. In another embodiment of the invention, a series of road surface images are provided in a printed or electronic catalog. The user selects the image to be used on the visible surface of the mask by comparing the target road surface to the images presented in the catalog. Masks made in accordance with this invention are less distracting to motorists because they blend into the surrounding road surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to masking systems and, moreparticularly, to a lane marker masking system used and method formanufacturing the mask. Specifically, the present invention relates to alane marker mask having an appearance that simulates the road surfaceimmediately adjacent the location

2. Background Information

Road construction projects that divert traffic from an existing road usemasks to hide the old lane markers from view while temporary lanemarkers are used to direct traffic onto the temporary path. In the past,the old lane markers were painted or removed from the existing roadsurface. In some situations, removal of the markers is undesirablebecause the markers are going to be used when the road is placed back inservice. In these situations, masks have been used to hide the markersduring the construction project. The masks are typically provided in asolid, uniform dark color without regard to the color of the roadsurface.

The color and texture of road surfaces greatly varies depending on thematerial of the road and the condition of the material. Even the sametype of material can take on significantly different appearance afterbeing exposed to different weather conditions over time. When the maskdoes not match the road appearance, the masks can act as undesirablevisual distractions to a driver who is approaching the constructionsite. The art thus desires a lane marker mask that matches the roadsurface where the mask will be used.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention provides a mask for a lane marker thatsimulates the appearance of the road surface adjacent the lane marker.The invention provides a mask having an upper visible surface configuredto simulate the road surface where the mask will be used. In oneembodiment, the upper visible surface of the mask is a printedphotograph of the road surface adjacent the lane marker to be masked.The mask thus matches the color and texture of the road surface. Anotherembodiment of the invention provides a mask provided in a blend ofcolors that match the appearance of a road surface.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for making a maskfor a lane marker. The method includes the steps of photographing theroad surface adjacent the marker to be masked and printing thephotograph onto a masking material. The printed photograph is then usedto mask the lane markers so that the mask matches the road surface.

The invention further provides a lane marker masking system thatincludes a plurality of road surface patterns that are available on aweb site or a printed catalog. The user who needs the masks may choosethe closest pattern to the road surface to be masked and order the masksdirectly from the supplier. The user may also print the availablepatterns from the web site and take them to the road surface where themasks will be used in order to determine the best match. The user mayalso photograph the road surface and compare the photograph with thecatalog of patterns or with the patterns available online. The user mayalso send the photograph to the supplier and allow the supplier to matchthe pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a road construction projectwhere lane markings must be masked.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a portion of the road surfacebeing photographed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a camera, a computer system, and aprinting system used to make the mask of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mask made in accordance with theconcepts of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 6—6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing masks being applied over thelane markers.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts through the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The mask of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral10 in the accompanying drawings. Mask 10 is used to hide old lanemarkers 12 on a road surface 14 so that a driver approaching aconstruction site will not be visually distracted by masks 10. Mask 10allows the driver to focus on the new lane markers 16 and safely pilothis vehicle through the construction site.

Mask 10 is fabricated by photographing road surface 14 with a camera 22.Camera 22 captures an image of road surface 14 adjacent markers 12 to bemasked. In another embodiment of the invention, a book of road surfacesmay be created by photographing a variety of road surfaces. In thiscase, the user would compare the book of road surfaces to road surface14 adjacent markers 12 to find a close match. In another embodiment ofthe invention, the catalog of available mask patterns is published at aweb site that is available to potential users of the masks. The user maythen select the pattern by printing some available patterns andcomparing them to the road surface. The user may alternativelyphotograph the road surface and compare the photograph to the availablepatterns.

Camera 22 may capture the image on film or in a digital format. When adigital camera is used, the image captured by camera 22 is processed bya computer 24. The image is then printed by a printer 26 that is adaptedto print color images onto a masking material 28 to create mask 10.Printer 26 may use a screen printing technique, an electrostaticprinting technique, an electrophotographic printing technique, an offsetprinting technique, a thermal ink jet printing technique, or a thermalmass transfer printing technique. Other printing methods may becontinuous rotary screen printing or continuous flat bed printing.

One exemplary printer is a Zund brand UV Jet 215-C Printer having thefollowing specifications: Four color piezo inkjet CMYK; Print speed: 75to 140 square feet per hour; print resolution: 360 dpi; maximum printwidth: 84 inches; maximum print thickness: 1.5 inches; continuous rollfeed: vacuum fixation; continuous supply with individual low levelwarning; and on-line replenishing. Other suitable printers include:Roland DGA Corporation's FJ-540/CJ-540/SoijectSC-500; Mutoh's ToucanNxPro; Epson's Stylus Pro 10600 Scitex Vision's Scitex XL Jet;Graphitec's JX 2150 60″; NUR America's Nur Tempo; Vutek's Press Vu UV80; Arizona's Arizona 500; and Sericol America's Inca Eagle 44.

Mask 10 is fabricated from a mask material 30 that is configured to beprinted on by printer 26. Material 30 has a body 32 that may have anupper surface that is relatively smooth to allow the image 14A of roadsurface 14 to be printed onto the upper surface. Material 30 may also beembossed. An adhesive 34 may be provided on the lower surface of body 32to allow mask 10 to be connected to road surface 14 over lane marker 12.Adhesive 34 may be a permanent or removable adhesive. In otherembodiments of the invention, adhesive 34 is not connected to body 32until the user is ready to install mask 10. In this embodiment, the usermay place the adhesive onto road surface 14 and then place body 32 downonto the adhesive. When adhesive 34 is connected to the lower surface ofbody 32, a cover 38 may be provided to keep adhesive 34 clean until mask10 is ready to be used. Adhesive 34 may be adapted to be applied in hotand cold weather. Adhesive 34 may also be configured to allow mask 10 tobe rolled on itself or stacked with other masks 10. Adhesive 34 may be apermanent or removable adhesive. Removable adhesives allow mask 10 to beeasily removed from the road and reused. A permanent adhesive allowsmask 10 to remain in place for months or years and makes removaldifficult.

If desired, adhesive 34 may be removed and mask 10 may be connected withother connectors such as mechanical fasteners like screws, nails,hook-and-loop and the like.

Material 30 is adapted to withstand outdoor road conditions and isresistant to water, salt, dirt, and oils. Material 30 may be fabricatedfrom alpha-olefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and blends andcopolymers thereof; ethylene-modified copolymers such as ethylene vinylacetate, ethylene acrylic acid, ethylene methacrylic acid, ethylenemethacrylate and blends and mixed polymers of these materials such asethylene methylacrylate acrylic acid terpolymers, polyurethanes,poly(vinyl chloride) and rubbery polymers such as ethylene propylenediene monomer terpolymer, rubber modified polyolefins and styrenebutadiene rubbers. A particularly preferred material for the base layer16 is a butadiene-acrylonitrile-polyvinyl chloride polymer.

In one embodiment of the invention, material 30 is 100% polyester plainweave. The weight may fall in a range of 1.00 oz/sq. yard to 8.00 oz/sq.yard, preferably 3.25 oz/sq. yard. The material is finished with:Adhesion Promoter to Rubber (RFL Dip) OR Adhesion promoter to Rubber RFLDip one side and white acrylic coating on other side.

Other possible substrates include: PVC/Nitrile blend; Carboxylatednitrile; EPDM Blend; Embossed (any material listed above) base sheetraised to form a pattern; Foil; and Reinforced (any material listed thathas been reinforced; for example, fabric and scrim or PVC/Nitrile andscrim).

Material 30 may be top coated if desired. Suitable top coats areRust-Oleum 9700 system (two-component acrylic polyurethane), PegataneHydro, and adhesives and adhesive laminates. Material 30 may include anyof a variety of anti-skid particles known in the art. Examples includealuminum oxide, pumice, silica, quartz silica, crushed glass, etc. Thetop coating should be water-, oil-, and soil-resistant. One suitablematerial is a flurocarbon resin with polymeric, hyperbranched dendrimersin a hydrocarbon matrix, cationic (available from Rudolf Chemical,Rucostar EEE, Ruco-Couard AFR).

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

1. A mask for a lane marker on a road surface that has a visualappearance; the mask comprising: a section of masking material having anupper surface and a lower surface; and a visible image disposed on theupper surface of the section of masking material; the visible imageadapted to simulate the visual appearance of the road surface where thelane marker is disposed.
 2. The mask of claim 1, wherein the visibleimage is printed on the upper surface of the section of maskingmaterial.
 3. The mask of claim 2, wherein the visible image is printedfrom a photograph of the road surface disposed adjacent the location ofthe lane marker to be masked.
 4. The mask of claim 3, wherein thephotograph is a digital photograph.
 5. The mask of claim 1, furthercomprising an adhesive disposed on the lower surface of the section ofmasking material.
 6. The mask of claim 5, further comprising a layer oftop coating material disposed over the visible image on the section ofmasking material.
 7. The mask of claim 6, further comprising anti-skidparticles disposed in the layer of top coating.
 8. The mask of claim 1,wherein the upper surface of the section of masking material is smooth.9. The mask of claim 1, wherein the section of masking material is 100percent polyester plain weave.
 10. A method for creating a mask for alane marker on a road surface wherein the road surface has a visualappearance; the method comprising the steps of: (a) photographing thevisual appearance of the road surface adjacent the location of the lanemarkers to be masked; (b) printing at least a portion of the photographon a section of masking material; and (c) using the masking material tomask a lane marker on the road surface.
 11. The method of claim 10,further comprising the step of using a digital camera in step (a) andtransmitting the digital photograph to the printer that is used toperform step (b).
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein step (c) includesthe step of applying a top coating to the section of masking material.13. The method of claim 12, wherein step (c) includes the step ofapplying an adhesive to the lower surface of the section of maskingmaterial.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein step (c) further includesthe step of applying anti-skid particles to the top coating.
 15. Amethod for creating a lane marker mask; the method comprising the stepsof: (a) photographing a plurality of different road surfaces to create aplurality of road surface images; (b) creating a plurality of lanemarker masks with each of the lane marker masks having an upper surfacewith each of the upper surfaces having a visual image; the visibleimages adapted to simulate the road surface images created in step (a);(c) publishing the plurality of images created in step (a); and (d)offering the plurality of lane marker masks for sale that were createdin step (b).
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein step (c) includes thestep of publishing the images on a web site that is accessible through awide area network.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein step (c) includesthe step of publishing the images in a printed catalog.